5 best FIRE STARTERS you can make at Home!

[@rg3412]

This straw and cotton ball idea is pure genius

[@peterharris6482]

In place of straw, wrap cotton in duct tape ?, also with bombs a wick to help lite,

[@boblydecker5951]

Nothing beats simple and effective!!

[@boblydecker5951]

@@peterharris6482 Brilliant!! Easier to make, with the choice of size too. Definitely gonna whip up a batch of these. Great tip!! 🙂👍

[@matthias7534]

Mhmm burning plastic, breathing toxic fumes, how genius 🥰😎🤯

[@Banana-lk7tf]

​@@matthias7534when you desperately need to make a fire like I did the other day, used what I had.

[@kittyanaspenelope3128]

80 year old great-great grandma here, gonna make the cotton/straw for Go Bag and the egg carton molds. Helene cut out electricity in my area. Used my Kelly Kettle Trekker to cook dinners for myself and 2 grandkids. First night was hamburger and last night budget steaks (2). Originally purchased the smallest Kettle just for self and because it was lightest weight for carrying. Cooked in the back yard and was serenaded by all the neighbor’s generators, lol.

[@marry9894]

I’m going to make some of these straw starters with my grandson, it’s never to early to start teaching the little ones 🙏🏽thank you for an amazing great viseo!!

[@src3360]

Im 40 yo and can remember my granpa showing me and teaching me stuff like this when we were hunting and fishing 💖 Things ill never forget

[@kareander67]

As a Swede, living in scandinavia, its really nice to compare your outdoor solutions with mine in my own environment. Very simple, down to earth advice from you. Well done, keep that fire burning 👏👌

[@DougStefan]

The vaseline and cotton balls have multiple uses....forget your chapstick use some of the vaseline, get a wound that needs some packing use the cotton ball and vaseline, have a buckle squeak on your pack use the vaseline, dry cracking hands use some of the vaseline. I can't think of too many items in my pack that are as multi use as the vaseline cotton ball fire starters.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Very good 👍🏻 Chapstick and a piece of my cotton t-shirt saved me back in 89. Got caught in a rain and Sleet storm fishing deep in the Gila. Closest I've been to hypothermia. Great tips 👌

[@lhsgrobar]

Loved the video, and seeing everyone sharing their ideas in the comments too. Learning a lot. I'll contribute as well for my fire starter/extender. It's a little bulky but very effective: Take a mini muffin tin, put a small layer of wax on the bottom of each, then put in a vaseline soaked cotton ball,, then cover with sawdust, then larger wood shavings, then fill with wax. You get sealed little wax pucks, and you can poke the tip of your knife through the bottom and pull out the cotton ball to fluff it up. It'll take a spark immediately from lighter or ferro rod, and then catch the sawdust, and then the larger chip. It'll burn hot for a good 10-15 minutes. I live in a pretty wet climate, and I've gotten some very soggy wood going with these.

[@jaimeleondelaparra3877]

I like to take a cotton ball and sandwich it in between Gorilla Tape. I'll make a few of these little packets and store them in a small Ziploc bag that I can easily stash in a pack. When needed, just tear open the taped up cotton ball to expose some fibers and hit that with a ferro rod or lighter. The cotton will catch the spark and/or flame, and the tape will be the flame extender. Great video as always. Keep up the great content, Clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good tip

[@hobofab]

Simple and yet it never occurred to me. Can't wait to play with this idea. Do you treat the cotton material with anything?

[@jaimeleondelaparra3877]

@Hobo Fabulous not at all, since the tape acts as the water/weatherproof sealant. I just flatten the cotton ball and make sure all sides are completely sealed around it.

[@greyscout01]

I like it. The straw thing gave me trouble. Your tape solution is one of those 'duh' things. Thanks

[@acbigal]

Clay Hayes is the Goat when it comes to survival and homesteading. This man and his family has this down to a science. My grandpa taught me about pine knots back when I was a kid and the chunks he had was so rich and smelled so good.

[@Terpedup925]

That straw technique is nice. Definitely going to try that one. Thanks clay

[@andrewfitzpatrick9799]

My dad taught me to make the egg carton ones. We use dryer lint in stead of paper. Soaks up tons of wax and burns forever. Plus there’s always dryer lint. Pocket lint works as great kindling also if all else fails. I generally keep some in my pocket.

[@junrenman]

Love it. Vaseline soaked cotton balls in an old pill container has been my go to for years.

[@doloinc]

I prefer cotton makeup applicators dipped in melted paraffin. They are significantly easier to deal with when starting fires. Last longer too, even when using a small piece

[@StelznerGaming]

Going to make tons of these straw things. Cheap, easy to make, and effective. Thank you Clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely

[@offthearrowshelf]

Thanks for sharing these tips with everyone. The straw tip is great and going to add this my camping gear. I’ve used a version of the egg tray method for making fire starters for scout campfires. One addition I have found that helps is using out of date old wound bandage or wound dressing form your first aid kit. Adding a layer of this before filling the egg tray , then add the wood shavings , lint from your dryer or whatever. Then another layer of dressing material before you pour the wax on top and it seeps through the top dressing. I’ve found doing this means it is easier to light as the dressing acts as a wick.

[@adammetzner]

We used to make the egg crate version and use dryer lint in them. Works great.

[@caseysmith544]

We did the same thing putting dryer lint into a bag, though somebody I think my dad pit cat hair in there as well just becuse he can smell a stink with the dryer lint that few if anybody else can smell.

[@caseysmith544]

we did the same thing saving dryer lint in a bag though my dad he put some gray cat hair from some now no longer living cats in there because he can smell a smell that is off with the regular dryer lint that few if anybody can smell.

[@8626John]

​@@caseysmith544And he'd rather smell burning cat hair? Lol

[@tracycolorado]

Words to the wise , take a thick rubber band , wrap it around the lighter in between the gas lever and lighter body , so when the lighter is in your pocket or pack , it doesn't accidentally get the gas lever pressed to lose all of your gas fuel , you can also use rubber band as fuel for starting a fire too

[@justjonoutdoors]

I use a short piece of paracord with a jam-knot on it for the same purpose.

[@Armand79th]

Piezoelectric lighters shouldn't have this issue, as it requires more force.

[@SpamMusubi308]

I use o-rings as they last longer then rubber bands

[@richroc7]

I have one thing to add Clay and no disrespect. I buy the gulf wax 1lb block and I mix it with 1/3 cup of liquid paraffin lamp oil to get up to 28 minutes burn time out of one fire starter. I also use the paper condiment cups but that doesn’t matter. 👍🏼

[@peyotephoenix5882]

Bicycle inner tubes always live in my bob. They have so many uses as well as being great fire starters/extenders and are light to carry 👍🏾

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Similar to your egg carton cup, I use the cotton lint (make sure there is absolutely no synthetic material in it, cotton only) from the dryer and use the aluminium tea light candle cups as a mold and pack them with the cotton dryer lint and melt old candle wax (can be beeswax, paraffin or the soy candle wax) and poor it on to the cotton lint. A full size lint and wax disc can burn for up to 8 minutes, or cut in half can burn for about 3-4 minutes. I usually pair it up with a piece of char cloth, and sometimes when I make them I put a bit of char cloth in the top so it's already there and ready to go. I have a tin (similar to your altodes) that I keep them in.

[@FARACI1]

Fantastic video really like your straws and cotton. One of the things that I’ve done with the cotton balls so that they don’t get all over the place is to put them into a pill bottle whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter make up your cotton balls Vaseline drop them in there. You could use a stick to get it out so it’s not messy, and they work really well that way and that way they won’t get all over everything as your pack heats up well the weather does. And if you’re worried about it, you can always put the bottle into a Ziploc storage baggie.

[@randmcnally6442]

I love the cotton in the straw, my go to is the cotton balls, but now that’s my new favorite.

[@OdeeOz]

2:58 Put the Cotton Balls in a Tin Cigar Tube, or other pocket sized metal container, and you are golden for no Vaseline eating the plastic bag, and leaking into your pack. 😉💯👍

[@MCOult]

Empty pellet or shoe polish tins make excellent cases for the petroleum jelly-soaked cotton balls; both are nearly water/air-proof. I have firestarters I made this way more than 15 years ago that work perfectly. You can also use the tins for charcloth: one tin for making it, one for storing/carrying it. BTW, for those of us who save sawdust from our table/miter saws, it's excellent for use with the egg carton fire starters: burns longer than wood shavings. Thanks for an excellent video!

[@frankkuhnle7408]

You never stop learning thanks for showing.

[@sacwriter7400]

I found a hack for those egg crate and wood shavings fire starters. Just dip a couple of wooden matches in paraffin, cut them off to about an inch, and then stick the match heads into the sawdust right after you soak it in your candle wax. You can just light the matches with your Bic, or if you crush the heads first with your Leatherman and then hit them with a firerod or a flint and steel.

[@edelmoescalona9206]

Best fire starter video on KZbin!!!!! ... the strow container was a huge tip !!! Thanks

[@savetrott4193]

Brilliant Ideas, Especially the Straw, Vaseline & Cotton Wool. Thanks 👍🏻

[@philiph554]

I made and used the cotton pads/discs, soaked in wax, but pressed out the excess, they are very easy to light and last quite a while

[@oodawg]

Good video. I have used the straw trick for neosporin before. The soaked cotton ball straw is a great idea never seen that before. You could also rub it on a cut or burn. Thanks for the idea.

[@akbychoice]

You can put salt, pepper and other seasonings in straws.

[@farstrider79]

Good stuff! I've never made the egg carton ones, but I've always got Vaseline soaked cotton balls in my pack, and like searching for fatwood. I do keep meaning to put some tape around my lighters, always forget though.

[@sandycove777]

Thanks for the ideas! I'm trying the egg carton dyi today. I used bits of the carton for the filler, a wad of dryer lint on top of that, melted old candle wax. I used tha smallest amount that I could of wax. Left some of the lint dry and fluffy so a spark can light it. We are going to fire up the lump charcoal and do some grilling, Cheers!

[@joeyware1678]

Enjoy your videos! Your knowledge is second to none and great communication. My go to DIY fire starter is a jumbo cotton ball half dipped in wax. They are easy and cheap to make, way cleaner than petroleum jelly, and great burn time.

[@mab0852]

I trade out the Vaseline for Obenauf's. It's much more multi-purpose because I use it on my boots, knife sheath, gloves, as a rust inhibitor on my knife, and even as lip balm. It even works good on cuts, scrapes, or dry cracked hands. Yeah it's more expensive, but the versatility is terrific. I like to think of it as back woods Ballistol as well. Really good at stopping squeaky gear or lubing a fussy zipper.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yeah, that stuff is great

[@caseysmith544]

@@clayhayeshunter I do the same thing but would swap out the Vaseline for Aquaphor or similar generic, this stuff is something I use for chaffing as it dose the same as Vaseline but no sting and can be an emergency chafed lip thing and hands so if I were out in the woods this is what I would use. A cheap lip balm/Chapstick would work as a fire starter too if it is the Petroleum type and most of the cheaper stuff is a byproduct that the Oil industry can't really use for much.

[@tomalophicon]

Used bicycle innertube is the best firestarter. Plus it has myriad other uses around the home and in the bush.

[@user-f5xt2op9t]

etroleum Jelly and Cotton Ball is my personal fav because it is the cheapest, fastest, long burn time, and packs down to nothin. Plus Petroleum Jelly is good for first aid so it has double duty in your pack. Take the travel sized containers, hollow it out a bit, and store half a dozen cotton balls in there. Make them to order. Truthfully, 1 cotton ball can be broken up into several starters.

[@mem7048]

I use those cotton rounds that are for removing makeup and put one half in melted beeswax and coat the other half with Vaseline. I store them in used Grizzly cans with a strip of electrical tape around the can to secure the top on. Burns over 5 minutes each, ans works in all weather.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice

[@hobofab]

Great idea!

[@TheWingnut58]

I use the cotton rounds soaked in melted "t-light" candles....very cheap and effective all season fire starters. I also use the plastic "snuff" containers to store them...

[@journeyman7189]

All solid tips. I carry a pill container filled with vasilene cotton balls. Doesn't degrade like the ziplock bags. The straw ones as good. I'll have to make some of those. Thanks Nate

[@jasonc5171]

Another place to get fat wood is from walmart It's called fatwood duraflame Comes pre cut in Kendaling size sticks May have to go to the online store

[@K94Life]

Best Bushcraft content. Appreciate your knowledge man.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet

[@KimA67.]

Toronto Canada ... THANK YOU BRILLIANT IDEAS!!

[@windyloweryking1826]

I thought for sure you were going to call it Lighter Knot. Aww, the pure joy of lighting things on fire!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve referred to it that way in other vids.

[@neubert500]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@JustinBilyj]

Great stuff - the straw idea is smart! When I like to cheat making fires, I just throw a matchlight charcoal briquet in a bag and it'll usually light with a lighter pretty quickly.

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

I use TP or paper towel rolls to store the bag of Vaseline cotton balls. if you have a food saver vacuum pack machine use those rolls are they are quite thick. I picked up shredded pine shavings at Walmart to cover. in wax. Of course my alcohol pads and eyeglass cleaners are quire flammable.

[@MakeGodSmileToday]

Thank you! I live completely off-grid in the northern woods of Maine and your tips are great!

[@garrymobey912]

I live in the UK, I've been searching in pine forests on a fat wood mission but as yet have not found the holy grail of fire starters, I will find some 🔥🔥

[@krismcgehee6372]

I make my own char cloth out of old cotton rags and t-shirts. Always catches a spark and gets the tinder bundle going if the conditions are dry. I will be making some of your straw starters to keep in my char cloth tin for sure!!

[@IokeweG]

Can't wait to try these out this summer. Great tips!

[@RawDoggin_78]

my right ear enjoyed this

[@clshady3051]

The petroleum jelly cotton balls in the straws thing is amazing, thanks. 👍

[@1320420]

The best storage method I found for the Vaseline cotton balls is old pill bottles.

[@elund408]

my go to for years is the egg cartons filled with dryer lint. then covered in beeswax and paraffin wax they will burn for 15 minutes. but the straw idea is great and would likely easier take a spark from a ferro rod, Ill have to add some of those.

[@hobofab]

Im down South from you in Central Florida and love seeing things conducive to our climate and environment! I first came across those diy straw and cotton waterproof fire starters watching Alan Keys and thought how cool they were. I almost always have my little Esbit pocket stove and a couple cubes because it's my favorite but I also have so many fire redundancies on me or in my vehicle that if I die because I can't make a fire then I deserve to die lol Great video

[@PapajosTraders]

All good tips. Here in the northeast woods we have birch trees. Birch bark is always our go-to when trying to get a fire going, especially in damp, cold conditions. Never fails and I always try to keep a chunk or two in my pockets when out and about.

[@jamescooper2618]

Glad to see you doing more black powder videos Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

And more to come

[@joycedimaggio3816]

Thanks for the tips!

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

Nothing beats a propane torch! 😄Vaseline soaked cotton balls in a zip lock baggy has always been my choice.

[@ringtonetemu1906]

Thank you. I came looking for a thing that came in my hike pack. And found lots more. Not a camper but great information because I will be hiking in Belize in August

[@clayhayeshunter]

Have fun

[@shalwaleslie4777]

I'm a beekeeper from Belize! Came on to find better ways of lighting my smoker. Happy hiking.

[@georgelauchland7512]

I use dryer lint for starting the wood stove works so awesome

[@bienyamientoefy1923]

Exellent advice.i will follow this advices.thanks alot❤

[@AR9ify]

Great summary 👍

[@8626John]

I like to use dryer lint in the egg carton cups. I do like the straws and cotton balls idea!

[@stephaniesmith7317]

DUDE! The straw seal is killer! Thanx😊

[@clayhayeshunter]

😉

[@tucker2074]

Thankyou

[@barneyslate6916]

Great vid! Thanks!

[@KatsPrettyCreations]

Brilliant 😊

[@seventhson27]

My favorite is a 1 inch piece of candle-stick candle. Also dryer lint makes good stuffing for the egg-crate starters.

[@Matto_Harvo]

Excellent content. Thanks

[@deirdredear]

excellent thank you

[@MarkCoppinger]

Great video Clay. I love your videos. Keep them coming 😊

[@bestfamily4489]

Wax cups light easier if you add twine wicks that you fray, once it hardens. Ends up looking like a cupcake with an afro, fire rod or spent lighter can get it going.

[@bbicon29]

All great tips, thanks for sharing!

[@danmuffley6418]

Dryer lint stored in a zip lock bag works great too

[@colleenvarlow8764]

Hi. thanks.

[@adamavra7869]

About to be doing a lot of camping in north AR. Thanks for the tips!

[@middknightdream1577]

Best time to collect fat wood is after Christmas, just go cut the bottom 1ft of wood off the Christmas trees you see being thrown out, they are full of pine resin. A decent fire starter I made uses wax shavings from either a fine cheese grater or pencil sharpener in a rolled up cotton ball sealed in a duct tape pouch. The cotton is your wic, the wax and duct tape are your extenders, the wax is more for keeping the fire going long enough to light the duct tape. I also learned you can take a 1 ft piece of duct tape and roll it length wise to make a makeshift candle, burn time varies based on type and brand of duct tape.

[@j.m.1389]

I love your tips, thank you!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@Nathaniel-Heavyfoot]

You're the man! The cotton ball straw is awesome ! 🧠 🥇

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

That straw trick is genius! Thanks for sharing 🤙🏻

[@technicalhandHJ]

In Indian villages we always use pine wood for start fire at tradisional kitchen from centuries

[@makinglure]

Nice video 👌🍀👏

[@Drew-Abbott]

I make fire lighters from wood shavings and wax. I put them in vape tubes. Most of the ones in the UK are steel tubes. Perfect for filling with wax and once you have two the ends can be closes by the little rubber end caps on either end

[@pnyarrow]

Hi Clay.. Thanks for 5 more for the tool box. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel

[@snowfall5038]

Thx for sharing ❤

[@guadalupeskitchen3734]

Another great video! I'm saving this one to my library.

[@rockod8880]

Great video thank u

[@DuyNguyen-tb8uc]

Nice!👍🏽

[@f1nmaster]

Cotton balls soaked in coconut oil are even better than ones soaked in vaseline.

[@marlind.odermatt8108]

Great video! Possible solution for carrying small amounts of any of thos fire starters is a chew can. I buy my chew in bulk so I have lots of clean cans and they work for anything small like fire plugs or fishing tackle.

[@tommarshall5781]

Nice! IV always just put cotton balls soaked in vaseline then folded into tin foil square cut and ex fluff abit out and light when needed it is also reusable

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks for the info!

[@jasonmunday9056]

using the straw is brilliant!

[@brontosa5351]

This video is golden, thank you

[@robinconkel-hannan6629]

I use straws for salt, pepper, garlic needles, and small fishhooks but definitely gonna try them as firestarters.. I like to dip cotton balls or cosmetic pads in wax.. They can be carried in plastic or foil without messing anything up..

[@Wblair8772]

Sealing the cotton balls in a straw section is genius. I usually just kept them in a zip lock bag but they were a greasy mess. The straw would prevent all that. Thanks

[@clayhayeshunter]

No problem

[@taurbaby]

Really good video...subscribed!!

[@Mshannon75]

I soak cotton rounds in melted Vaseline. Once it’s cooled and semi-dried, I dip them in melted wax. No mess and very packable.

[@cozmoos]

This was useful.

[@ericwalker3459]

Thank you. More tips to keep me alive.

[@omargavarrete1078]

Great video bro thanks

[@davefabian2942]

Some old hunting buddies use to always be on the lookout for what they called rich pine old hemlock or pine logs in northern Pennsylvania, they would carry this stuff for miles back to camp, always made a quick hot! Fire 🔥